The Wow AffectThere is a constant battle in life against negativity. As we have spoken about in recent “Avodah Thoughts”, dealing with this is no easy thing. It takes time and focus to undue undesirable thoughts and to create positive thinking.I would like to offer a practice which may significantly help this issue. Saying “Wow”. We naturally see things negatively. We can increase positivity through one word…“WOW!”[1]Saying “Wow” means there are things which excite and move us. A deep seated cynicism often detains us from being impressed. When we see things in others or in the world that are potentially impressive to us, let us allow ourselves to be impressed. The more we are wowed by things the less negative we will be towards those things. By being repeatedly “wowed” we make inroads into our subconscious and can change our negativity at a profound level[2].This practice is particularly important when it comes to people. We so often “assassinate” others in our minds. There is a great lean towards negativity in our “take” on others. To combat this we should be actively moved by the good we see in others.The wisdom here is that we are “taking on” negativity without a direct fight[3]. Just as in battle, one can fight the enemy head on or flank him. As we often don’t have the strength, abilities or know how to fight head on, the knowledge of how to work indirectly is crucial. So too, this aitzah avoids “taking on” negativity directly. Instead, from a seemingly outward place, we foster inner positivity.Of course, this aitzah applies to negative thoughts. When undesirous things happen if we are not “wowed” by them their effect on us will decreaseI was fortunate to once hear the great Rosh Yeshiva of Ponivitch, Rav Dovid Povarsky זצ"ל speak. He was already very, very old and it was difficult to listen, but I remember three words that he said in the name of the Alter M’Kelm – ראשית חכמה פליאה"” , “the beginning of wisdom is wonderment”.Being “wowed” may lead us to far more than just avoiding negativity.

[1] Of course, someone could work with a different word if “wow” is disagreeable to him. Specifically speaking as opposed to just thinking ,however, would seem important as we are more moved by things we also say (as we see in the way Mussar was traditionally learned in yeshivos, according to Rav Yisrael guidelines.)